On a Whim, on a Wednesday: Is Creativity Becoming Extinct?

Technology.

It is kinda a BIG DEAL.

For better, or for worse.

...or for both.


Technology is creating a society of
short attention spanned,
hot headed zombies.


OR....

Technology is creating a world of
information,
collaboration,
and opportunity.

"I've heard it both ways."
(Thank you, Sean Spencer).

I definitely have some rather developed, supported, and
-most importantly-
evolving opinions on the matter.

But I think that I'll hold off on writing that post.
Especially since I am smack dab in the middle of some pretty expansive research on the matter.

Because, you see, I'm writing an essay.

An essay where I basically explore
the impact that technology has on the
creative foundation of adults,
as well as on the
creative potential for children.


Soon to come: My new-and-improved opinion on the matter.

And just in case this subject is as important you to as it is to me, (or even if you just want to dip your toes in a bit)
here is a list of my chosen research sources:

THESE books:

And THESE articles from the internets:

>Want To Be More Creative? Get Bored.
by
Martin LindstromLink:
http://www.fastcompany.com/1829462/want-be-more-creative-get-bored

A blog post centered on an
interview with Isaac Asimov
by
Maria PopovaLink:
http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/01/28/isaac-asimov-creativity-education-science/


And please oh PLEASE share your thoughts on the matter!

Determined that I'm going to thoroughly read each of these books before my essay is due next week,
Monica.

Tuning in to Tuesday: Up and Up

I'm a mildly big fan of Christian Rock.

Sometimes, members of the LDS Church tend to shy away from this musical genre.

Because mixing the sounds of popular modern day music with subjects like
repentance
and the Spirit
and Jesus Christ...

can be a rather peculiar juxtaposition
that we just plain are not accustomed to.

And some would even argue that it is irreverent to mingle such sacred subjects with such casual musical form.

Okay.
To each his own.

But in this modern day when even my dear old country music becomes just as littered with inappropriateness as any other popular music genre,

I have no problem changing the radio station to
songs about the Savior.
Songs that give hope.
Songs about being charitable.
Songs about spreading the good news.

Are there sometimes specific doctrinal references that I don't necessarily agree with?

Hmmmm, yes.

But if disagreements on the specifics of a matter
(even eternally important ones)
mean that I should avoid association with the source,
then I guess it is time for me to go live in the mountains and cut off absolutely all ties with my fellow human beings.

And maybe raise goats, while I'm at it.

And although I strongly believe that there is in fact a need for reverent handling of sacred subjects,
I'm not going to reject a song just because it
accompanies Christ's teachings with
guitars and drums
instead of
a piano and violin.


And if you disagree?
That's okay.
I'm perfectly fine with that.
(see previous note on handling "disagreement.")

On that note, I would like to share one of my favorites:

Up and Up - Relient K

This song is for when
you feel guilty about digging a hole for yourself,
but you want to have faith that you can climb out of it.

And to remember that Christ is more than happy to join you for the climb.

This song is also for when your car is broken down and you have had a crappy day and you feel like there is just no way you can manage to walk up the monstrous hill back home.

Yeah.
When THAT happens,
cue THIS song:



I'm just trying to be a better version of me for You,
Monica.

Mountains, Trees and Mondays: On Ponds and Improvisations.

This semester I am taking a watercolor class.

At first, it was a bit daunting.
Because watercolors can be a little crafty.

(and no... no "arts and crafts" pun intended, there).

But I am very quickly discovering that using watercolors really is just getting back to my ROOTS.

I think that now I may just have to go and do a painting of roots for my next project....


But even after defeating the mountain of "I'm not really sure I like using watercolors," I one day found myself in class, completely petrified by the new mountain before me:

We were going to gather our supplies.
Walk up to the gardens.
And paint.
Outside.

(Which process is more accurately referred to as "plein air.")

Now, yes, you're probably thinking,
"but Monica... that sounds like just the kind of thing you would love to do!"

Yes. Yes it does.

Except for the part about me that gets exceedingly anxious about surprises that involve carrying things somewhere else and not knowing what to take and what to leave and feeling like I am carrying too much and am bound to drop it or lose it or find myself in some kind of unexpected circumstance and thus be faced with the choice of what to bring, what to leave, what to go back for, and in what order to do it....

My heartbeat is quickening just thinking about it.

(p.s. Yes, I DO have a hard time traveling due to these particular anxieties. Packing is... well, packing it nightmarish).

And I considered doing what half of my classmates did:
packed there stuff up, and left class early.

But I decided to be brave.
And so I grabbed my awkward-to-carry watercolor palette, my noisy and cluttered little "box" with brushes and pencils and tapes and erasers, my even MORE awkward-to-carry (and rather large) painting board, and a couple pieces of watercolor paper (which I was CONVINCED were going to somehow fly away from me and I would have to chase after them).

And I felt pretty good about my decision.

That is, until I got to the campus gardens and realized that I forgotten to bring water...
for my watercolors....

I almost panicked.

But then the adventurer in me kicked in
and I thought to myself,
"No water, huh? Well... maybe this is a good opportunity to paint a pond."

And so I found a little table and chair on a deck next to a pond.

And I... used the, uh... pond water.

Yes.
I occasionally leaned over,
stuck my little brush into that little pond,
loaded it with water,
and used it to mix up some "pond-ish" colors on my palette.

And I proceeded to paint some leaves that had sunken to the bottom of the pond.

And I really hope I gave some passerby a good laugh.

Because goodness knows, I was a bit giggly, myself.

And I came away from the experience with the satisfaction that I had done something WAY out of my comfort zone, and it ended up being quite the relaxing experience.

...as well as the resolve to go get a really small, lidded watercolor palette, a small pad of watercolor paper, a small lidded container for water, and proceed to rubber band all these things together and create a "plein air" kit.

You know, for those "plein air" emergencies.

Can you paint with all the colors of the pond?
Monica.

Tuning in to Tuesday: Where the Green Grass Grows.

Let's just start out with a picture,
shall we?

yes.....


Yes, that just about
SAYS IT ALL.

On that note,
here is one of my all time favorite songs:



Please, oh please listen to this song.

Because I'm sure it will bring you all sorts of wonderful
NOSTALGIA.

On another note,
being able to do a slow fiddle,
that soulfully and cleanly,
is pretty much my greatest aspiration for
my stringed-instrument skill level.

It makes my heart just
slow down...

...and
be content.


Watch my corn pop up in rows,
Monica.

On a Whim On a Wednesday: Thank you, Joe Butt

So this first week of school...
(don't worry, I'll be explaining the significance of "Joe Butt" in just a moment)
...has solidified what I already knew but had yet to
dive into
and
submerge myself
mind, body, and soul:

I NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHO I AM AS AN ARTIST.

You see, I am taking this class called,
"Business for the Professional Artist."

And it's kinda a big deal for me.
Because this teacher is not only a wonderful illustrator, he ALSO is quite the successful artist (in terms of making a living off of it for his entire life).

And, well, if his lectures don't just hit on ALL of my weak points....
"This field is beyond competitive, and you will only be successful if you,
a. Know every detail of the market today.
b. Know every detail of the market TOMORROW.
c. Are able to confidently and verbally propose to clients what you have to offer.
d. Know for YOURSELF what you have to offer.
e. Are EXTREMELY self disciplined.
f. Do not succumb to distractions. Avoid excessive "hobby-ing."
g. Have a professional, online portfolio available at all times.
h. Have impeccable attention to deadlines and punctuality."

And SO,
even though I have yet to actually have an official assignment in this class, I have actually been spending most of my "homework" time on it.

Because I decided to dive into it.

Completely.

Like this....

...but far less graceful.
And so my sketchbook has become my beloved friend.
In fact, most of the time I don't even bother to put it in my backpack whilst gallivanting around campus.
Because it is only a matter of time before I want to pull it out and scribble some new raindrops (words) in my brainstorm.

First, this brainstorm began with the "clouds" of
"What do I know about?"
"What are my interests?"
"What are my potential artistic markets/fields?"
"What do DO with it all?"

Each of these clouds proceeded to shower.
Heavily.
All sorts of raindrops/words/phrases,
from "Da Vinci"
to "stuffed animals"
to "fumage"
to "the universe"
to "biospheres"
to "greeting cards"
to "graphite realsim"
to "rhythm"
to "oil lift-out"
to "flying kites"
to "ceramic sculptures."
Needless to say, this storm was beginning to get a bit
out of hand.
And so, I sought shelter.
(Meaning that I took a break from working in the printmaking studio and planted myself in a good spot on the floor in the hallway of the art building).

And I thought back to something that my teacher had said:
"Your artistic style is who you are."
Which prompted me to write the following "cloud" in my sketchbook:
Who am I?
This "cloud" has done 2 things.

1. Filled my mind for the rest of this day with an
epic Jean Valjean performance.

2. Led me to THIS:
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp

It is a personality test.
And not just the kind you fill out in a magazine.
But the kind that is kind of a big deal and nationally recognized.
Or something official like that.

I had my skepticisms....
But THEN it showed me my results.
And good golly, it just about hit me right on the mark.
Down to strange little things I do that I didn't know a computer was capable of picking up on just from my answering a few questions.

The result came in the form of a four-letter personality identification.

I,
Monica Christiansen,
am an "INFP."
Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Perceiving.
(I think they cheated a little bit on the "N" part).
And I was brought to a webpage
describing us "INFP" people.

These are my favorite parts:

1. The personality description was written by a guy named "Joe Butt."

2. The first thing it did was quote Moby Dick.

3. "INFPs never seem to lose their sense of wonder."
I have always explained to Austin that much of my personality is based on having a good "sense of wonder." Like some people have a good "sense of humor."
Yeah, I thought I had made up that term...
apparently it is just part of being an INFP.

4. "It's as though they live at the edge of a looking-glass world where mundane objects come to life, where flora and fauna take on near-human qualities."
Um... that is pretty much my EVERY SINGLE DAY.

5. "INFPs have the ability to see good in almost anyone or anything."

6. "INFPs struggle with the issue of their own ethical perfection, e.g., performance of duty for the greater cause."

7. "INFPs live primarily in a rich inner world of introverted feeling."

8. "...quixotic nature of these usually gentle beings."
....usually???

9."...greeting the world on behalf of feeling."

10. "....a sound basis for the development of literary facility."

11. My fellow INFPs include
Homer (NOT the simpson),
St. John,
William Shakespeare,
Luke Skywalker,
A. A. Milne,
Laura Ingalls Wilder,
Mr. Rogers,
Neil Diamond,
Doug Funny,
Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes),
Anne Sherley,
James Taylor
Julia Roberts,
Fred Savage,
Bastain (The Neverending Story)
Tommy PIckles,
and...

E.T.


All I can say is...

YES.

I'll be right here,
Monica.

Tuning in to Tuesday: Firebird Palooza

What do "Fantasia 2000,"
Evan Lysacek,
and my recently begun
Fall semester
all have in common?

BEHOLD:
Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird

Technically, this piece is really a whole Russian ballet worth of music. But it is commonly performed as individual "selections of The Firebird Suite."

And it is, well...

SPECTACULAR.

Now, back to those 3 seemingly unrelated items.

First, I fell in love with this:



And then, during the 2010 Winter Olympics,
there came THIS:
(firebird theme really gets going around 1:23)



And if that is not one of the most
inspirational performances ever,
I don't know what is.

And then, a few days before this semester began, I got this email from my orchestra teacher:

I do recall my eyes tearing up a little bit.

That is how crazy in love I am with this piece.

And please....
PLEASE.
PLEEEEEAAAAASSSSSSE.
If you only watch one of the videos in this post,
MAKE SURE IT IS THIS ONE:



Because although it skips over the
EPIC "danger" music part,
it makes up for it.
Because that right there is
STRAVINSKY HIMSELF.
And if his explosion of emotion at the finale doesn't just say it all....

Oh, and if a slow cacophonous chord progression isn't really your cup of tea, feel free to skip to 4:20.

And if slow lyrical passages aren't your thing, either, go ahead and jump over to 6:00 for the emotion explosion itself.

It may very well be that I have the most
euphoric orchestra performance
of my life coming up.

Updates surely to come :)
The best conductors need only use energetic fist pumps,
Monica.

On a Whim on a Wednesday: Okay, School. Bring it On!

As you probably know, college and I have had quite the rough history.

And as each new semester approaches, I get a new bout of MOTIVATION.

And I pretty much ROCK the first 2-3 weeks.

And then... meh.

Life happens.

But do I let this cycle stop me?

NO WAY!
(Said like the kids in "The Magic Schoolbus," intro song.)

Because, with as much difficulty school and I have caused each other, it honestly is just about my
favorite thing ever....

Because I like classes.
I like learning.
I like teachers,
(even the crazy ones).
I like studying.
I like homework.

Not to mention being on THIS amazing campus:

Yeah.
I love it.

And this coming Monday just so happens to be the first day of Fall Semester.

And I just so happen to be taking THESE awesome classes:

Advanced Writing/Critical Thinking
University Orchestra
Business for the Professional Artist
Watercolor I
Printmaking I


Excited OUT OF MY MIND,
Monica.

Mountains, Trees, and Mondays: Hiking Souls and Hiking Soles

I've had this crazy idea in my head for some time now.

And it goes like this:

Every Saturday that permits, I want to go hiking.
Because everything about my soul/personality yearns for hiking.

And for goodness sake, THIS is where I live:

Hmmmm.
Yeah, I'd say it's about time to get myself out there.
But this CRAZY idea of mine has two flaws:

1. Winter is approaching. Fast. And I'd rather avoid hypothermia and frostbite, thank you very much.

2. Although I have a hiking SOUL,
and even hiking SOLES...
(meaning my beloved hiking shoes that I even drew a picture of once in art class)

...I don't exactly have a hiking BODY.

Because although things like
loving fruits and veggies,
doing yoga every morning,
attending a campus that is
built on the side of a monstrous hill,
and having a job where I lift heavy things and climb scaffolding and run around like a chicken with my head cut off (clearly this needs a post of its own in the future),
keep me in pretty healthy condition...
...that doesn't mean I'm ready to just up and hike all of Yellowstone.

Because I am also hypoglycemic.
And I have long suspected that I have exercise-induced asthma.
And the altitude here is KILLER.
And... I'm really just not that great at cardio stuff in general.

So, before I go out and take on REAL mountains,
looks like I'm going to be starting with some more figurative mountains.

Indoor heated gym with treadmills and stair climbers, here I come,
Monica.

Sweet and Savory Saturday: Brownies Save the Day

Now, despite this post's title suggesting that this day was bad enough to need saving, it was actually one of the best days I've had in quite a while.

There was even a beautiful thunderstorm.

Which always is rejuvenating.

...until it does THIS:

Not cool, rain.

Not.
Cool.
The remedy?

There are 2 parts.

PART I
Changing into pajamas with lightning speed the second I get home.
(Which explains why I am not actually WEARING the jeans in that picture. No way was I taking the time for a photo op).

PART II
These.

mmmmmm.
And what makes them even BETTER is the fact that I hardly had to do ANY work to make them.

Because this is one of those fancy shmancy recipes that makes a BUNCH of dry mix at a time.

Like this:

Mix together
8C sugar
5 1/2C fllour
2 1/2C cocoa
4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp salt
Then, when it rains on your pants, you can just pull one of these:

To make 8x8" pan of brownies, combine
2C mix
1/2C melted butter
2 eggs
vanilla.
(Oh, and throw in some chocolate chips if you feel like it. Apparently from that picture, I only halfway felt like it).

Cook for 20 min. at 350.
Ending this post abruptly because I have to get my hands on those bad boys,
Monica.

Green and Thrifty Thursdays: My Kind of "GREEN."

(during this post, you can expect to be bombarded with debatebly relevant "green" pictures).

(like that one).
So, um... "GREEN."

That can mean quite a few different things.

Even once you narrow it down to definitions related to environmental responsibility, we've still got quite the wide spectrum, here.

So, let's take this in small doses of categories.

Because I love categories.

This is what "green" means to me:

OUR BODIES

Now, I'm not a scientist and will never claim to know everything when it comes to taking care of our bodies.
In fact, I honestly know very little.
However, I think one thing is for sure:
God would not have put us on a planet that did not have the resources to
grow,
fuel,
and
heal
our physical bodies.
That being said, I believe that when it comes to the food we consume and the remedies we use to heal our bodies, the Earth is the best place to look first.

Of course there is a place for modern medicines developed by science.
And that place is right after a good foundation of natural, diligent health habits and practices.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of science.
In fact, I believe that science is a rather spiritual thing.
(now THAT is a post for another time!)
But I think it is so important to take care of our bodies and avoid symptoms, rather than just mask the symptoms once they inevitably come up.

(And just in case you're wondering, I do not advocate striving to make our bodies like that green guy up there. Because then doing healthy things like yoga and eating salads would become exceptionally awkward).
OUR MINDS:

Stress.
It happens.
A lot.

But once again, I think that our Heavenly Father really thought ahead on this one, too.
Because although everyone has different ways of relaxing and rejuvinating, many of these sources come from the Earth.

Our minds are stimulated by our senses, and planet Earth has those covered pretty well.

There are things we see.

There are things we hear.

There are things we touch.

There are things we smell.

There are things we taste.

And experiencing all of these things that nature has to offer can do a LOT for the sanity of our minds. Is it any coincidence that the sound of the ocean waves or the scent of lavender flowers are common sources of "relaxation?"
OUR HOMES:

Now, this is a category that I can actually feel pretty good about writing.
Why?
Because it's the one where I actually have pretty extensively implemented my "green" ideals.

Basically, this is how I feel about common household cleaners:

Okay, okay, it's a bit dramatic.

And goodness knows I'm not criticizing ANYONE for using such products.
(Because judging others is just about the silliest thing I've ever heard of).

But I just couldn't take it anymore. I would rather have my house a little dirty than
sprayed,
swiped,
and sprinkled
with chemicals that make me cough and choke as I use them.

Whaaaaaaaat?????

It didin't sit well with me.

Using safe, chemical-free, even home-made cleaning supplies is probably one of the most popularly accepted forms of "going green."

First of all, it's LESS EXPENSIVE in the long run.
And most of the time, in the short run, too!
But also, it is just comforting to know that what we are wiping off our kitchen table with is safe, clean, and half the time made with the same ingredients that we use in the dinner we put on that table!

Plus they don't induce wheezing and choking.
Which, you know, is always a plus.
OUR FAMILIES:

What? Your family doesn't look like that?

OH.

Well needless to say, I don't think I'm going to go into much detail with this category.
Because my family, at the moment, is more like this:

And there is no way that I'm going to start talking about how to raise a family.

BUT, I have my nice little family of two.
And I'm quite fond of it.
And I think that the way we run our family now is so very important to how it will turn out later as it grows.

And we like our family green.

And, you know, it helps that my husband is kind of a HORTICULTURE major.
(Not to be confused with Herbology. As far as I have seen, Professor Sprout does not hide out in the BYU-I campus greenhouses.)
(As far as I have seen....)

But I just am a BIG advocate of encouraging all generations - ancient or brand new - to be conscious and, at the least, respectful of the environment.

More on this "consciousness" later.
OUR CONSUMERISM:

I'm NOT going to tell you to only support/purchase from companies that are environmentally friendly.
Why?

Three reasons:
1. Telling people what to do is just as silly as judging people.
2. I would be a hypocrite.
3. It is almost as impossible as it gets.

With the complexities of businesses, it is impossible to tell that every little decision they make is made with regard to the health of the planet.
For goodness sake, it isn't even possible to determine that they make decisions in regard to OUR health.

But what we CAN do is be as self reliant as is possible (or sane) for our own specific circumstances, thus reducing our consumerism altogether.
We can also do our best to buy our food locally, and (if possible) from organic farmers and ranchers. Not only is this healthier for ourselves, but it also supports our communities rather than large companies that try (and succeed) to monopolize food.
OUR OUTPUT:

About a month ago, our apartment complex announced that there will now be recycling bins by our dumpsters.

It was cause of much rejoicing for my family.

Because as much as me might like to think that all of our waste is vaporized into nonexistence...

it isn't.

It DOES end up in the oceans.
It DOES end up in the rivers.
It DOES end up in the soil.
It DOES end up in the air.

And we DO need those things in order to survive.

Now let's just make it clear that I am not saying this little planet of ours is a fragile thing.
God is smart enough to not make something that relied on the perfection of man.
The Earth is just about as enduring as it gets.

But just because someone gives you a diamond doesn't mean you are careless with it.
OUR CONSCIOUSNESS:

(No, I'm not really sure why an elephant represents consciousness, either.)

No one is perfect at this.
For some of us, recycling is as far as we get.
For others, we grow our own produce in our backyards.
And then there are those that go out and to things like this:

(Just to be clear, I am not advocating such actions.)
(But I DO advocate wearing one of those bad boys to a Halloween party.)

But the BEST thing that we CAN do?
BE CONSCIOUS.

And not just in regard to your current state of brain function.

I believe it is so important to just be AWARE of the importance of protecting our environment. Because it is our state of awareness that defines our choices.
Be aware,
be educated,
and be a
VOICE
so that others can do the same.
OUR SPIRITUALITY:

As a member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,
I am a big fan of gifts from God.

He is quite generous when it comes to His children.

Also, I believe this:
"Unto whom much is given much is required."

And golly, if the creation of THIS doesn't qualify as "much"...

...then apparently I misunderstand the difficulty of
creating a world.

And whatever your spiritual beliefs be, I think it is so important to be grateful for this beautiful planet.
And to show respect for where it came from,
and respect for those who will be alive to see where it's going.

So there you have it.

This (in no few words) is what "green" means to me.

Oh, and just for good measure....

I don't know about you, but I know what I'M going as for Halloween,
Monica.

On a Whim On a Wednesday: My Whimsy is Broken

Oh, what's that you say?

Sweet and Savory Saturday, Mountains Trees and Mondays, and Tuning in to Tuesday
never happened?

Oh, um... well...

Yes, you would happen to be right about that.

And this is pretty much how I feel about it:

meh


Moving on!
Unfortunately, today my whimsy is broken.

Probably because I am in cleaning and organization mode.

So its a good thing I have plenty of storage whimsy to fall back on!

Is it spontaneous?
No, not exactly.
Because this little plan of mine has been in the making for quite some time now.

Nevertheless, here is today's whim:

I want a donkey. And I want to name him Albus.

.

I also want sheep.
Four of them.
And they will have HOBBIT names.

And I will shear them annually and sell their wool raw, or card and spin it myself to make things with.
Good thing I have a husband who crochets.

And, as fate would have it,
donkeys are kept as guardians for sheep and other livestock.
Because they are extremely intelligent and loyal, and have a natural animosity towards coyotes and neighborhood hooligans.
(I'll admit I made up the hooligans part).

So, the donkey will keep the sheep calm and secure, while the sheep give the donkey a feeling of purpose so that it doesn't get bored and noisy.
(they do that)

For reals, though. Not making this stuff up!

Oh, and also, there will be five chickens.

Because that is enough to provide a family with a daily supply of eggs.

And WHERE am I going to keep all of these creatures?

Well, in my citrus orchard, of course!

Where I will have probably six citrus trees.
And they will give shade to my animals, and my animals will help keep away weeds and pests from my trees (not to mention fertilize them!)
And we will all live happily ever after.

The End.

Sam will probably be my favorite sheep,
Monica.